I had NO preconceived idea to get into confrontation. I also did not want my enjoyable day taking photos unnecessarily interrupted.

There is simply NO excuse for the CSO's absurd pettiness.

Initially I even ignored them. I heard them behind me saying "hello" "excuse me" and I smiled and carried on photographing the old public street located loudspeakers.

Then I heard them ask something like: do I work for National Rail or whatever it's called? I replied "No" and I carried on photographing. Why wouldn't why? I wasn't do anything wrong?

And THEN they insisted on stopping me, and it was at that moment I had the foresight to turn the video on and document most of the ongoing situation.

Immediately afterwards I walked directly in ST Pancras international station just over the road and continued with my photography uninterrupted. I also then walked to Warren st tube and was not interrupted while overtly photographing ALL their street located speakers.

THEN i walked around inside a big shop, PC world, and overtly took loads more fab pics for my project, with nobody disruputing me. AND DO YOU KNOW WHY NOBODY STOPPED ME? BECAUSE IT"S THE SODDING 21ST CENTURY plus I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG.

It's also kind of ironic. As people go on and on about getting away from our screens and going outdoors.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I ENJOY DOING BOTH. LOTS. So just let me get on with it please. No petty nonsense thank you very much.

Meanwhile, on the general topic of privatised public space and our COMMONS etc .... you might be interested in my opinion piece from last Sunday, 27 Feb, in free local the Hackney Citizen. I'm dead pleased with it.

STRAY SOD

A Stray Sod is an enchanted clump of grass.

When one steps on the clump, it triggers a magic spell and under the influence of this spell, all the familiar landmarks have disappeared. The road you walked upon is suddenly gone and no matter how hard you look, it can not be seen again.

In other cases, a traveler can suddenly notice that he is walking in a completely different direction, and no matter which way he turns, he cannot find the right direction again.